Chapter 82
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 82
Chapter Title: The Buddha Soul Divine Monk's True Identity
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The training ground in the rear garden of the Pavilion of Distinguished Guests.
Three young men were tangled together, unleashing their martial arts.
Shuwaaak!
Dong Ho-won's spear thrust sharply toward Seol Hwa-un's chest.
“……!”
It was such a sharp attack that even the careless Seol Hwa-un was startled. He quickly twisted his body.
Paak!
The spear tip barely grazed Seol Hwa-un's left shoulder.
But that wasn't the end. Dong Ho-won's spear trembled violently before spinning widely.
It was the technique called Falling Soul Circular Extreme from the Dong Family Soul-Falling Spear.
‘Excellent!’
Seol Hwa-un thrust out his fist.
Kwaang!
Dong Ho-won groaned at the intense force transmitted along the spear shaft.
“Kuhk!”
‘I can't be pushed back!’
He gritted his teeth and held firm.
‘Mu-hwi, now!’
Swaeaeaeak!
A sharp whooshing sound that seemed to tear the air reached Seol Hwa-un's ears.
‘Can't avoid this one?’
He released his left hand, which had been clasped behind his back, and extended it rearward.
Swuk!
His hand collided precisely with Eom Mu-hwi's palm strike.
Kwang!
At the same time, Seol Hwa-un's form spun like a top as he thrust out his fist. A flash of pure white divine light gleamed.
Kwa-kwang!
“Ugh!”
“Eugh!”
Eom Mu-hwi and Dong Ho-won were flung to the left and right from the impact.
Seol Hwa-un's form came to a stop.
“You did well, but you let your guard down at the end.”
Dong Ho-won rose to his feet. Though defeated, his face was bright.
“Of course. Didn't we finally force the Young Palace Lord to use both hands?”
Since Seol Hwa-un had reached the state of No-Mind, they had never once made him use both hands, plunging them into self-doubt.
But today, they had finally succeeded.
Seol Hwa-un chuckled softly.
“I see. At this level, we can call it complete.”
He was referring to the joint formation they had created to face Seol Hwa-un: the Hand-Spear United Formation.
“You both worked hard.”
“Hehehe!”
“It's thanks to the Young Palace Lord's guidance.”
“No, this time, your efforts were truly significant.”
It was a far superior joint formation than Seol Hwa-un had expected. If it were passed on to the other martial organizations of the North Sea Ice Palace, it would bring a tremendous boost in strength.
In fact, some members of the North Wind Brigade were already learning bits of it.
There was the limitation that each had to master hand techniques and spear techniques respectively, but even accounting for that, it was an outstanding supreme art.
“Go inside and rest.”
“And the Young Palace Lord...?”
“I need a moment to organize my thoughts.”
“Yes.”
The two entered the Pavilion of Distinguished Guests, leaving Seol Hwa-un alone in the training ground.
“…….”
Unexpectedly, his expression was extremely grave.
“How long do you intend to just watch?”
“Amitabha Buddha.”
Along with a low chant, a figure appeared abruptly.
Even Seol Hwa-un could not discern what movement technique the man had used—it was that stealthy and swift.
“It's good to see you again, Patron Seol.”
It was none other than Abbot Mu-myeong.
“Indeed, you are no ordinary man.”
Mu-myeong smiled faintly.
“No need for such words. I am merely an inadequate monk who has yet to attain the Buddhist path.”
But Seol Hwa-un thought differently. Even he had not noticed Mu-myeong watching.
He only realized it because Mu-myeong had deliberately revealed his presence.
Considering how exceptionally sharp Seol Hwa-un's qi sense was, it was hard to believe.
“What is your true identity?”
“Hahaha, what do you think, Patron Seol? What do you believe this monk's identity to be?”
Mu-myeong gazed at Seol Hwa-un with expectant eyes.
“You're no ordinary third-generation disciple of Shaolin... Perhaps a hidden disciple of the Buddha Soul Divine Monk?”
He believed no one but the Buddha Soul Divine Monk—one of the Nine Heavenly Martial Emperors and the Martial Alliance Leader—could have nurtured such a figure from Shaolin.
“Hoo! An excellent guess. But not the correct answer.”
“…….”
Seol Hwa-un stared quietly into Mu-myeong's eyes.
At a glance, they seemed ordinary. They neither sparkled like a prodigy nor were dull like a fool.
‘But that can't be. If he were truly just an ordinary monk, there's no way I wouldn't have sensed his presence.’
After a long moment, Seol Hwa-un finally detected something hidden deep within those eyes.
“……!”
It was the trace of profound years. It was so deeply concealed that even Seol Hwa-un could barely find it.
‘Then this man is...!’
Seol Hwa-un's face hardened. Seeing his expression, Mu-myeong smiled.
“As expected, you're perceptive. It seems you've already figured out this monk's identity.”
‘Unbelievable! But I can't deny it.’
Seol Hwa-un carefully opened his mouth.
“Could you be the Buddha Soul Divine Monk himself?”
“Hahaha.”
Instead of answering, he burst into hearty laughter—an affirmation in itself.
“You truly are the Buddha Soul Divine Monk.”
“Pleased to meet you, Patron Seol. Allow me to reintroduce myself. This monk is Mu-gak.”
The Buddha Soul Divine Monk, Abbot Mu-gak.
If Abbot Dharma had founded the thousand-year Shaolin, Mu-gak was the recognized prodigy who would extend it for another millennium.
A born martial genius, he had refused even the position of Shaolin Abbot to devote himself to martial cultivation, ultimately becoming one of the Nine Heavenly Martial Emperors revered by all in the martial world.
“Allow me to greet you properly. I am Seol Hwa-un.”
“Amitabha Buddha. Pleased to meet you.”
The Buddha Soul Divine Monk's known age exceeded ninety. Even for Seol Hwa-un, honorifics were unavoidable.
With a stiff expression, he asked.
“Then that face...”
No mere disguise technique could fool his eyes. It was his real face and a youthful body.
“Haha, a few years ago, I gained a small insight and achieved bone-changing rejuvenation.”
“……!”
Bone-changing rejuvenation.
A legend passed down only in tales: when one's martial arts surpass a certain realm, the body is reconstituted anew.
Not only does it rejuvenate the flesh, but it optimizes the body for martial arts, granting superior internal and external prowess.
‘Bone-changing rejuvenation actually exists?’
In his previous life, Seol Hwa-un had ascended to Martial God and become the world's greatest master. Yet he had never experienced it.
“Amitabha Buddha.”
Chanting softly, the Buddha Soul Divine Monk continued.
“Others may think differently, but this monk devoted himself to the martial path to draw closer to the Buddha. Naturally, my martial arts advanced as a result.”
“…….”
“Then, a few years ago, the Heart Sutra suddenly became fully comprehensible. I naturally attained the realm of Nirvana.”
By rights, he should have entered extinction then, but a small lingering desire remained deep in his heart.
“A desire for martial arts. It held my soul back. A craving I myself was unaware of.”
“One might say it's not true bone-changing rejuvenation in the proper sense.”
Indeed, the Buddha Soul Divine Monk's achievement was ambiguous as one induced purely by martial advancement.
He nodded in agreement.
“That could be so. However, can we limit bone-changing rejuvenation solely to the realm of martial arts?”
In any case, the Buddha Soul Divine Monk had gained a new body. That meant he was undoubtedly stronger than before.
‘To think bone-changing rejuvenation is real... and that the Buddha Soul Divine Monk, who vanished a few years ago, was masquerading as a Martial Alliance warrior!’
Curious as he was about the reason, something more important came first.
“But why have you sought me out?”
“…….”
The Buddha Soul Divine Monk did not answer immediately, instead gazing quietly into Seol Hwa-un's eyes.
The gaze of the man called the absolute ruler of the martial world could be burdensome, but Seol Hwa-un met it calmly.
“Amitabha Buddha. Even upon second glance, your eyes brim with pure light. Even in this alliance, such eyes are rare.”
“Have you come just to say that?”
“Hahaha, as expected of youth—impatient temper as well. Since this monk dislikes drawn-out talks, I'll get to the point.”
“…….”
“In truth, I overheard your conversation with the guard warrior at the Alliance Leader's Palace from the training ground.”
Seol Hwa-un's eyes widened.
‘From where exactly?!’
It was an open area; he could swear no one was within twenty paces. And they had spoken from a spot well removed from the training ground.
That meant he had heard the conversation with Jeong Ji-hwang from even farther away.
‘Shaolin's Heavenly Ear Penetration. Truly transcendent.’
“An intriguing conversation.”
“I merely shared my thoughts. Nothing special.”
A smile appeared on the Buddha Soul Divine Monk's face.
“Of course. But it was a topic that could dissolve the alliance itself if mishandled.”
“If it crumbles from mere words, then perhaps it should.”
“That may be. Don't misunderstand—this monk agrees with your view.”
The Buddha Soul Divine Monk furrowed his brow.
“That said... do you have a good solution?”
“……Pardon?”
“I heard you spoke wisely to the Alliance Leader's warrior, and displayed keen insight at the grand assembly. So, could you offer some advice for the alliance's sake?”
His expression held earnestness.
“Though this monk has neglected the Alliance Leader position, my affection for the Martial Alliance remains.”
“…….”
“With division, conflict, and inequality persisting, how can we return this Martial Alliance to its former state?”
Unbeknownst to the Buddha Soul Divine Monk himself, this was the current Martial Alliance Leader seeking counsel from the founding leader.
For Seol Hwa-un, it was a novel sensation.
‘Fortunate, I suppose? At least the Alliance Leader has his wits about him.’
Seol Hwa-un asked with a composed expression.
“What efforts have you made thus far, Alliance Leader?”
“Hm... In the past, I persuaded the alliance's elders and sect leaders and elders. But they nodded along outwardly without truly changing. It was like reciting scriptures to a cow's ear.”
“Humans don't change easily by nature. The older they get, the harder it becomes. People of that age won't shift from a few words. And then?”
“As I grew weary, my body rejuvenated. Curious about the warriors' thoughts, I enlisted as a new recruit to observe them.”
“…….”
“I empathized with their plight, but there was nothing this monk could do. I've agonized over it for years now...”
“For someone in such straits, you seemed to be enjoying life as a Martial Alliance warrior well enough.”
The Buddha Soul Divine Monk looked abashed, then let out a low chuckle.
“Haha, did I? At some point, I forgot I was the Alliance Leader and simply savored life as an alliance warrior.”
In truth, life as a Martial Alliance warrior wasn't bad.
The monthly stipend was ample if one wasn't extravagant, and especially enjoyable was mingling with the other young warriors.
“Then today, hearing your words snapped me awake.”
Seol Hwa-un saw through the Buddha Soul Divine Monk's temperament.
‘Too soft.’
Though the Buddha Soul Divine Monk usually secluded himself for martial training, he had appeared in the martial world several times. Revered as the Living Buddha, he had shown mercy even to many villains.
‘That very temperament may have allowed him to reach Nirvana. But as Alliance Leader, it's a flaw.’
During his Heavenly Collapse Fist Emperor days, when active as Alliance Leader, he had not hesitated to demonstrate force if persuasion failed.
It earned him more enemies, but at least they behaved before him. Moreover, with no grudges held, he always soothed after the storms—as the pacifying leader.
Even if bordering on dictatorship, he held righteous convictions. Thus, though grumblings existed, few distorted his intentions.
‘But I can't tell the Buddha Soul Divine Monk to act like my past self.’
Finally, Seol Hwa-un spoke.
“There is no single correct answer to this. There are radical methods, but you wouldn't accept them, so better not to try.”
“It's hopeless, then?”
“Not entirely without hope. There is one method only you can employ.”
“What is it?”
“From your current position, ceaselessly convey consultations to those around you. Instill justice and righteous convictions in the young Martial Alliance warriors for now.”
“Ah...”
“There will be small changes. And as time passes, they will grow to become the core of the Martial Alliance. In time, the entire alliance will transform.”
It might take ages. They might betray once in power, rendering efforts futile.
Of course, both Seol Hwa-un and the Buddha Soul Divine Monk knew this well.
“Success isn't guaranteed, but this is the most orthodox and ideal path.”
“...The orthodox path is the righteous way?”
“So it can be said.”
‘Even if it fails, your heart will be more at ease than now.’
Whether sensing Seol Hwa-un's inner thoughts or not, the Buddha Soul Divine Monk smiled faintly.
“I see. So that's it.”
He had considered it himself. But lacked certainty.
Hearing confirmation from Seol Hwa-un—an Outer Realm native and objective observer—gave him some conviction.
His expression brightened as he clapped once.
“Thank you, Patron Seol. You've lightened the burden on my mind.”
“No need. I'm glad if it helped.”
“That said...”
The Buddha Soul Divine Monk's eyes sparkled.
“I'd like to give you a gift. Will you accept?”